University Class Artifacts

Análisis de los Determinantes Sociales que Influyen en la Prevalencia de la Diabetes Tipo II en la Comunidad Hispana en los Estados Unidos: Una Revisión de la Literatura desde una Perspectiva Socioecológica

Spanish 4190 Salud y la comunidad hispana en los Estados Unidos

I wrote a literature review for Spanish 4190, analyzing type 2 diabetes in U.S. Hispanic communities using the Social Ecological Model, ranging from the individual level to the macrosystem. The project strengthened my professional Spanish writing skills and deepened my understanding of how cultural factors, such as familismo, shape prevention, treatment, and communication. I compared two evidence-based programs: a bilingual, culturally adapted telemedicine program that achieved better A1C and blood pressure results than usual care, and a 10-week community health worker education program that improved diabetes knowledge, medication adherence, and self-care. Together, they show the importance of culturally tailored care for minority groups and show improved outcomes and patient confidence. These insights will allow me to enter the workplace more confident in my ability to communicate with Spanish-speaking communities and more knowledgeable about common health issues in the Hispanic population. Overall, this experience sharpened my ability to review research and use it to create or improve programs addressing health challenges while understanding and taking into account any cultural influences.

Online Spanish poster “Tranquilidad y Seguridad: GPS y Detección de Caídas para Seres Queridos con Alzheimer” during my internship with Agenda Alzheimer.

I made this informational poster because a patient in the center where I was doing my internship, who lived alone, didn’t arrive one morning and couldn’t be located quickly. My goal was to give caregivers practical options and peace of mind. The poster explains that wandering and falls are common in Alzheimer's; it also presents two GPS options at different price points. The poster also shows how the device's features can aid caregivers by providing them with location tracking, fall alerts, and/or an SOS button, depending on the device. This work strengthened my professional Spanish and my ability to turn urgent safety risks into clear, action-oriented guidance. I focused on clarity, cost awareness, and a supportive tone. These skills transfer directly to public-health work: creating bilingual educational resources for families, and partnering with community organizations to add solutions in place for patient safety and injury prevention.

I wrote a short Spanish essay analyzing Joaquín Sorolla’s paintings for a culture and literature class while I was in Spain. I visited Museo Nacional del Prado and saw Sorolla’s work in person. Noticing the light, movement, and everyday scenes helped me understand how art communicates family, work, and place. This experience strengthened my observation skills, vocabulary, and confidence in describing culture in Spanish and art. It also reminded me to slow down, ask what a scene might mean to the people in it, and respect different perspectives. As I prepare for healthcare and community work, I will use these habits to listen actively and practice cultural humility with patients and families in both Spanish and English. This artifact shows my growth in cultural analysis and communication.